Page 56 of The Innocent

At least once a day, she wondered if moving to Lawry, abandoning her life in another state that had been home for her whole life, moving to the city where she didn’t have anyone, was the stupidest choice she’d ever made. Depending on the time of day, it was a fifty-fifty split.

But today? She was missing her old life.

“How’d it go, Imogene?”

She blinked when she heard her name and straightened in her seat. All eyes were on her, and she realized she’d zoned out for the last ten minutes. Shoot!

“It’s going good. I’m settling into my new apartment and almost fully unpacked.” It was a reasonable answer though from the spike in Judy’s brows, not the correct one.

“I meant with your first client.”

Of course she did. Focus!

Imogene forced a smile, battening down the blush spreading across her chest and cheeks. She cleared her throat and slid the folder across the table toward her boss.

“I wrote up my report. That’s the hard copy.”

A universal groan echoed through the room, and she instantly peered around at her coworkers. None seemed pleased with her. What did I do?

Judy chuckled, grabbing the folder and flipping it open. “Relax, everyone. I’m not making anyone hand in hard copies. Our newest associate is just extremely thorough. I know better than to expect that from the rest of you.”

The tension seemed to ease in the room, though she did notice Marge scowl and roll her eyes.

“Any problems, Imogene?” Judy arched her brow. “With the client.”

“Um, not really.”

Judy clamped her lips and stared back at her. Clearly, she was waiting for more. Imogene rested her clasped hands on the table. “The first meeting was at the halfway house. We discussed resources, and I explained everything in depth, giving him a variety of options.”

Marge let out a heavy breath, and her gaze softened. “I hate that place.”

There was an unspoken understanding, a strange type of comradery that was built on sympathy. Imogene wouldn’t vocalize her own feelings. It seemed unprofessional, but she agreed with her coworker. The halfway house made her uneasy. Meeting at the diner should’ve been a quick fix. It wasn’t. Maybe the café would be different. Doubtful.

“Well, we don’t get to pick and choose our assignments or clients.” Judy said, and Imogene immediately nodded. The last thing she wanted was to be perceived as someone who couldn’t handle the job or wanting preferential treatment. This was the first but most certainly not the last of undesirable assignments.

“I completely understand.” She would’ve sounded more convincing had her voice not cracked. She smiled and drew in a breath, hoping she presented herself in a calm manner.

Judy slowly nodded, keeping her gaze locked on Imogene. Her boss was impossible to read. She’d mastered the poker face.

Judy pointed toward the door. “Alright, well, enjoy the donuts in the lobby from yours truly.”

Art, who had been sitting next to her, nudged her arm, “This is her way of bribing us to show up next week.”

Judy snorted. “And I’m not afraid to admit it. Go enjoy.”

Imogene started to stand, but Judy gestured toward her.

“Imogene, hang back.”

Dammit, I messed up. She sank back into her chair, watching the others leave the room. When the last coworker walked out, closing the door behind, she glanced across the table at her boss.

“I’ve been doing this a long time and been exactly where you are. Believe me when I say I get it.”

Imogene appreciated the speech, but it didn’t do anything to make her comfortable.

“One of the biggest elements to this job is keeping an open mind. Free of judgement. Looking forward into the future, not at their past. It’s easier said than done with particular cases, isn’t it?”

Was this a trick question? Even if it was, she answered honestly.